Following two ‘landmark’ purchases since 2019, Somerset West and Taunton Council has confirmed it is bidding to make long-term investments in key areas of Wellington.

In 2019, the council acquired the historic community open space of Fox’s Field, backing on to the former Fox’s Mill site.

Then, this spring, it bought the old Tone Works further to the north, off the B3187 Milverton Road, a major listed building complex at risk from decay and neglect, now well known as the location of the Pump House restaurant.

The new initiative, building on these twin acquisitions, will see the district council apply for £20 million funding from the Government’s ‘Levelling-Up Fund’ to help save the buildings, which are of significant national historical importance.

The council also aims for the funding to develop a ‘Green Corridor’, including a 20-acre community farm growing local produce – stretching from Tonedale to Hilly Head via The Basins, and highlighted in a recent edition WWN.

Announcing the purchase of the Tone Works site, Cllr Marcus Kravis, executive member for assets, said: “The Fox’s Mill complex is an important part of our national and local industrial heritage and we are committed to ensuring this site is not only preserved for future generations but developed to its full potential over time.

“The surrounding green spaces and waterways are integral to the fabric of this site both as a place and in its identity. The Levelling-Up bid combines the needs of the community with the preservation of the natural and built assets to the benefit of all.”

The bid and proposed schemes are also being driven forward by councillors Keith Wheatley – one of the founders of the Wellington Mills Community Interest Company set up to help save the former Fox’s site – and Mark Lithgow, the town’s mayor.

Cllr Lithgow said: “The town council is very excited about the prospect of Wellington having this ambitious Green Corridor linking the northern and western outskirts of the town via The Basins, an area already at the heart of the community’s existing outdoor space.

“When you factor in the concepts of new sports facilities and the opportunity for growing more of our own food, it all adds up to one of the most exciting things to happen in the town for many years.”

Other stakeholder groups showing keen interest in the project cover a large range of activities from Wellington and District Sports Federation to Wellington Community Food and Transition Town Wellington.